Exogenous luteinizing hormone promotes ovarian survival and function during cryopreservation and transplantation

Cryopreservation and transplantation of the ovarian tissue is an alternative method by which malignant tumor survivors can recover fertility. Previously, it was reported that follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) promoted the survival and functioning of the ovarian tissue after in vitro cultivation. In this study, the expression of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) was observed on the granule cell membrane after luteinizing hormone (LH) (0.3 IU/mL) was supplied as an exogenous hormone into the cultivation medium during ovarian vitrification in the postnatal period (PND) (1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56 days PND). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Connexins (Cx), and the recovery of ovarian functions were then assessed in mice models. The results showed that LH increased the production of normal follicles, and upregulated the expression of VEGF, Cx37, and Cx43 in vitrified ovaries. LH administration also shortened the recovery time of the estrus cycle in mice models. Additionally, no difference was observed in the rate of pregnancy and size of the first litter between the experimental and control groups. In conclusion, LH could promote the survival and functioning of the ovaries by upregulating the expression of VEGF, Cx43, and Cx37 during ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation.